Lucy Bronze boasts plenty of happy memories at Wembley, but the Chelsea star is setting another trophy target at the home of English football.
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Won Euros with England in 2022
Represented Lionesses on a regular basis
Chasing down honours at club level
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Back in 2022, Bronze helped the Lionesses to savour European Championship glory on home soil. She has figured regularly for England during their outings at the most spectacular of international venues – with her senior cap haul standing at 127 and counting.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Bronze returned to her homeland in the summer of 2024 when joining WSL title holders Chelsea from Champions League winners Barcelona. The plan is to add to her medal collection over the coming months, particularly when it comes to an FA Cup competition that she has emerged triumphant in on two previous occasions with Manchester City.
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WHAT BRONZE SAID
Bronze has told Chelsea’s , with another cup quest set to get underway on January 12 against Charlton: "I hope we go on a good FA Cup run. It’s always been a trophy that I’ve been in love with. I played my first final when I was 16 playing for Sunderland which is where I was from, and against Arsenal. It was my first taste of a big game.
"I’ve got so many different fond memories of FA Cup runs. Especially coming back to England from playing abroad, the FA Cup is definitely a big one. Every time I have played abroad, I’ve always been at Wembley watching the final. I love playing at Wembley, so it would be nice to play there with Chelsea."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Bronze has helped Chelsea to claim 15 wins during a 16-match unbeaten run this season and is starting to feel more settled as part of a star-studded squad in west London. The 33-year-old defender added: "Coming in I don’t think I was viewed as much as a new player because I’m English and being a bit more established. But, at the start, I was definitely finding my rhythm and my place in the team.
"Once I got my feet on the ground, got settled living here and everything like that, it just felt like I had been here forever. After the first couple of months, I felt really settled in and started to see that both on and off the pitch. I was definitely feeling more and more at home."
Chelsea conceded 63 goals last season in the Premier League, the highest number of goals conceded by the club in recent years, with their next closest being 54 conceded in the 19/20 season, in the last 10-year span.
Structural issues under Mauricio Pochettino, an array of defensive configurations due to injuries and form, and an open, expansive playing style led to Chelsea’s poorest defensive season in 10+ years.
Conor Gallagher and Mauricio Pochettino
Luckily, the Blues have managed to field the same back four (five including the goalkeeper) in their first three Premier League games of the season, with Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella, with their only change coming in the fourth game, due to the absence of Gusto.
Chelsea did once, however, have an exceptional centre-back who starred for them in the top-flight but they ended up having a howler with him.
Antonio Rüdiger at Chelsea
Antonio Rüdiger joined Chelsea in 2017, signing for a fee of around £34m from Roma. The German spent five years at the club, playing under multiple managers, such as Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarr, Frank Lampard, and Thomas Tuchel.
Rudiger made 203 appearances for the Blues, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists during this time, and totaling 17,887 minutes played. His best stint came under German boss Tuchel, who praised him as “world-class” back in 2022.
The German international won five major trophies for the Blues in his time, including the Champions League in the 2020/21 season, in what was a successful spell for him at Stamford Bridge.
Rudiger then saw out his contract and joined Real Madrid on a free transfer (£0), despite being worth €50.00m (£42.2m) at his peak according to Transfermarkt. That’s more than the £38m fee Chelsea received for Conor Gallagher this summer.
Chelsea managed to sell Gallagher to Atlético Madrid for this fee, despite only having one year left on his deal, showing their ability to generate a fee for players, even with contracts expiring. Unfortunately, due to an ownership change at the time, the Blues were unable to negotiate contracts, meaning they couldn’t offer Rudiger a new deal even if they tried.
The mistake the season prior, to allow Rudiger to enter the last year of his contract without either extracting a fee or signing a new deal, is ultimately what led to the German leaving on a free, something the new owners are keen to avoid happening again, as seen with the Gallagher situation this summer.
Rudiger at Real Madrid
Since joining Madrid, Rudiger has made 107 appearances, scoring four goals, providing three assists, and totaling 8,478 minutes. He has also already won seven trophies, including another Champions League triumph, and a La Liga title.
Madrid fans have fallen in love with Rudiger, with even Roberto Carlos stating he has “the effort, the dedication, the commitment” to wear the Real Madrid shirt. And it is that exact passion and dedication that Chelsea could definitely use now.
Rudiger vs Colwill vs Fofana comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)
Rudiger
Colwill
Fofana
Progressive Carries
0.60
0.75
0.75
Progressive Passes
5.40
5.25
2.75
Passes Attempted
70.2
74.8
66.8
Pass Completion %
90.6%
92.3%
91.4%
Passes into Final Third
5.00
5.25
4.75
Tackles
0.60
0.75
0.75
Blocks
1.20
1.50
1.75
Interceptions
0.67
1.13
1.25
Aerials Won
2.00
2.50
0.75
Stats taken from FBref
The metrics from this season so far, are a good indicator of why stats don’t always tell you the full story. Ruidger has averaged the fewest tackles per 90, blocks per 90, and interceptions per 90, between the trio of defenders, but this would mainly be due to the amount of transitions Chelsea have to defend, compared to Real Madrid.
Much of the defensive sweeping for Madrid is done by Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield, taking away a lot of defensive actions needed by the central defenders. Rudiger shines as a 1v1 defender, duelist, and aggressor, putting opposition forwards off with his sheer presence.
The German does prove to be the most progressive passer though, averaging 5.40 per 90, closely contested by Colwill who averages 5.25 per 90. Overall, Chelsea could definitely do with a defensive specialist like Rudiger, who would bring that leadership back to their defensive line, and I’m sure they regret the way in which he was allowed to leave on a free.
Move aside Neto: 7/10 Chelsea star must finally be unleashed by Maresca
The Blues forward should be brought into the starting XI.
West Ham will reportedly make an extension call on Michail Antonio’s £85,000-a-week contract in the summer of 2025, following his horror car crash.
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Forward has undergone surgeryStarting out on long road to recoveryContract due to expire in summer of 2025Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Jamaica international is facing a long road to recovery after seeing his Ferrari collide with a tree. Antonio had to be cut from the wreckage of his supercar, before being airlifted to hospital and undergoing surgery on a lower-leg fracture.
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There have been suggestions that it could take 12 months before Antonio is able to walk again unaided, with obvious questions being asked of whether he can return to professional football. West Ham will be offering their full support throughout the recovery process.
DID YOU KNOW?
Antonio’s current contract at the London Stadium is due to expire at the end of the season, but there has been talk of fresh terms being agreed. An extension option may be triggered if the 34-year-old can work his way back towards fitness, but the entire process will not be rushed.
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Getty Images SportWHAT WEST HAM INSIDER SAID
West Ham insider Sean Whetstone, who boasts links to Hammers co-owner David Sullivan, has said in an update on Antonio’s situation: “West Ham will continue to pay Michail Antonio's £85,000-per-week wages in full for the remainder of the season and have no insurance to cover such an accident. Antonio's contract will finish at the end of June next year. The club do hold a one-year option but will wait until next summer to decide if it will be exercised depending on the striker's recovery. His agent is Will Salthouse.”
Ian Holland shines with bat and ball, Mohammad Abbas takes nine as hosts roll Middlesex by 249 runs
Alan Gardner18-Apr-2021
Ian Holland starred with bat and ball•Getty Images
Having wrapped up the spoils from this game a minute or two before the scheduled lunch break on day four, Hampshire’s players were able to belt out their victory song in the dressing room and sit back to drink in the moment – perhaps even enjoy a beer in the sunshine, too, given it is practically government-mandated now.There were no home fans around to enjoy the scene, but the Ageas Bowl nevertheless basked in a summery sense of optimism as James Vince walked down the steps to reflect on a second emphatic victory in a row. Not since 2004 have Hampshire won their opening two games of a Championship season. That year, Shane Warne’s side saw off Durham and Leicestershire in a couple of low-scorers, on their way to promotion from Division Two. The following summer, they finished as runners-up to Nottinghamshire by two-and-a-half points – as close as Hampshire have come in recent times to hoisting the Championship pennant last raised in these parts back in 1973.Vince, of course, will not be looking that far ahead. Squinting impassively in the bright April sun, he was happy to praise his players for two dominant displays against Leicestershire and Middlesex, before concluding: “Delighted with the start, but I’ll be boring and say on to the next game.”That is perfectly reasonable, with the first goal for all of the sides competing in this year’s Championship being to secure a top-two finish in their conference and qualification for Division One. Already Hampshire and Gloucestershire have pulled out in front, and the two will meet here next week for a contest that will give further indication of each team’s relative strength.Related
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There’s no doubting that Hampshire are in rare form, though. Five of their top six have already scored hundreds, while the new-ball pairing of Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas – whose exemplary match showing of 31-16-39-9 was chiefly responsible for cracking open the game against Middlesex – looks as potent as any in the country. Factor in Ian Holland’s burgeoning utility as an allrounder, and the spin options provided by Liam Dawson and Mason Crane, and the first XI has depth and variety.There is also the prospect of Keith Barker, the experienced left-arm seamer, returning to fitness in the next couple of weeks; and while Aneurin Donald has suffered a setback in his recovery from knee surgery, Cameron Steel has signed on loan from Durham for April and May, having impressed with a century for Hampshire’s 2nd XI in a friendly against Surrey.”It’s good signs. With the ball everyone’s contributing, and with the bat pretty much everyone’s made a contribution now,” Vince said. “We know here the pitches can get flat and we’ve got to work hard, but with the balance of side we’ve got, with two spinners and four very good seamers, we do feel like we’ve got all conditions covered.”Vince pinpointed his side’s efforts in the first innings as key to victory here, after the batsmen were made to work hard by a strong Middlesex attack. “Making 300 on a pitch that started off pretty tough for batting and got progressively easier as the game went on, that effort on the first day set the whole game up,” he said.A double-Dutchie breakthrough on the final morning, with Holland’s medium-pace accounting for both overnight batsmen, Robbie White and Martin Andersson, before the arrival of the second new ball, quickly extinguished any faint hopes Middlesex had of dragging out the contest. Abbas could not quite conjure a tenth wicket to cap his home debut, but Abbott accounted for Nos. 8 and 9 before Dawson ended a stubborn last-wicket stand.”Over the last few years we have built more belief in the side,” Vince said. “Everyone within the group here knows what we’re capable of, but I guess other counties and people around the country might start to see we’ve had two big wins and expect us to do that more often.”It’s been our goal over a decent period of time, where we’ve not been up there competing in four-day cricket as we’ve wanted to do. The last three or four years there’s been a big push to try to get into a position where we are competing. We’re only two games in, so I don’t want to say too much at the minute, but everyone in the dressing room and at the club is really enthusiastic about doing well in red-ball cricket. It’s been a good start, we’ll see if we can sustain it.”For Middlesex, who threw away a commanding position in their opening match against Somerset, back-to-back defeats already threaten to stymie their hopes for the season. Stand-in captain Steve Eskinazi, who will hand over the reins to Peter Handscomb for next week’s London derby – pending a negative Covid test for the Australia batsman – said players had been “on the verge of tears” during a team debrief following Friday’s disastrous 79 all out, and called for a response against Surrey.”We’ve spoken about honesty for a lot of pre-season, spoken about our culture, and just like we were very happy to talk about how well we played on the first day here and last week, we had to sit down and take accountability and responsibility,” he said. “It was unbelievably confronting for the group of players in that room, hugely emotional. It means a lot to everyone in the dressing room, and if anyone out there doesn’t believe that, they’re kidding themselves, because if they were in there they would have seen people on the verge of tears.”We came out and we showed character in the fourth innings, I was massively proud of the work we put in there. There can be no hangover in county cricket, as we start again in four days’ time. If we can bridge the gap between our good and our poor cricket, I don’t think we’re far off at all.”
Glasgow Rangers suffered another pre-season defeat over the weekend, losing 2-0 at Murrayfield.
While pre-season results aren’t exactly important, the fact that several players who looked like they could depart Ibrox this summer managed to find a place in the Rangers starting XI was rather worrying.
Philippe Clement desperately needs to sign another few players ahead of the Gers' Premiership opener against Hearts. Could he be set to raid the Championship in the coming days?
Rangers eye move for Championship winger
According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Rangers are “readying a new move” to sign Morgan Whittaker from Plymouth Argyle this summer.
In January 2023, Michael Beale had an offer rejected by Swansea City, then his parent club, for the English winger, but it now looks as though interest has been reignited.
The Light Blues are screaming out for some quality on the flanks and there is no doubt that Whittaker – who has an asking price of £15m – would give Clement something extra out wide.
It wouldn’t be the first time the club have signed someone from the Championship. Could they repeat their Todd Cantwell masterclass?
Why Morgan Whittaker could be Todd Cantwell 2.0
Beale may have endured a torrid ten-month spell in the Ibrox hot seat, but he did make a few decent signings, Cantwell among them.
Since arriving in Scotland 18 months ago, the former Norwich City gem has made 64 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals and grabbing 12 assists in the process.
Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell.
When fit and firing, the former Norwich man is a wonderful option to have, yet he was inconsistent at times during the 2023/24 campaign due to occasionally playing out wide on the right in an unfamiliar position.
Whittaker could offer something that the club struggled with last term – goals from the wide areas.
Last season for Plymouth, Whittaker scored a remarkable 20 times for the club in all competitions. Add in a further nine assists, and it is clear he poses a dangerous threat on the right flank.
Morgan Whittaker vs Rangers' right-wingers last season (league only)
Metric
Wright
McCausland
Whittaker
Goals
2
3
19
Assists
0
4
8
Big chances created
1
3
10
Key passes per game
0.6
1.4
1.4
Successful dribbles per game
0.4
0.9
1.2
Shots per game
1.1
1
3.6
Total duels won per game
1.9
2.4
3.8
Goal conversion rate
8%
10%
11%
When compared to his positional peers in leagues similar to the English Championship, the spritely winger ranked in the top 7% for non-penalty goals (0.43) and the top 2% for total shots (3.78) per 90, more evidence of how effective he is in the final third.
Former Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher hailed the youngster upon signing a permanent deal with the Pilgrims last summer, claiming he was “one of the most exciting prospects in the EFL” and, given how impressive a season the winger went on to have, this was certainly backed up.
Taking out Abdallah Sima’s goal tally of 16 from last term, the highest-scoring winger was Rabbi Matondo with six goals. This clearly isn’t good enough heading into the new season.
Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo.
Whittaker has proven that he has what it takes to make an impression in the English second tier. A move to Ibrox from the EFL – like Cantwell – wouldn’t faze him in the slightest and the chance to perform at a higher level could see him take his game to the next level.
Rangers could land "impressive" signing who's a dream Cantwell replacement
The Light Blues are reportedly keen on a deal to sign the talented teenage maestro.
Celtic are reportedly preparing an offer to sign a £15,000-a-week player who was recently in advanced talks with rivals Rangers.
Celtic and Rodgers eyeing “ready-made” player
The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers are yet to complete an outfield signing this summer, with goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo the only two official arrivals at Parkhead.
Celtic are expected to secure the permanent services of midfielder Paulo Bernardo, though, following a successful loan spell from Benfica last season.
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There could be more to come after Bernardo, with Rodgers admitting back in February that the club want to be “brave” and target “another level of player” who is “ready-made”.
“I would go with supporters thinking we could maybe be a little bit braver in terms of bringing in another level of player. But that’s up to me to try and fix that over the course of my time here. You look at the strategy here and you have to be careful because in some ways it has worked. You bring in players for a minimal fee and then they go out and make the club a lot of money.
“What I want to hopefully balance in my time here is that we can still do that, because it is an important part of the modern game. But we also want to be brave enough to hang our hat on a ready-made player.”
Recent targets linked with moves to Celtic Park are Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland after his prolific form in front of goal, whereas Wolves full-back Hugo Bueno is also wanted on loan.
Now, it appears as if Celtic are readying a permanent offer to sign a Manchester United midfielder.
Celtic preparing Hannibal Mejbri offer
According to reports in Tunisia, relayed by Sport Witness, Celtic are ‘preparing to make an offer’ to sign Man Utd’s Hannibal Mejbri. The offer in question is expected to be a permanent bid, with the 21-year-old into the final 12 months of his Old Trafford deal.
Should Celtic sign Mejbri, on £15,000-a-week, they could deal rivals Rangers a real blow, with reports recently claiming that those at Ibrox were in advanced talks to sign the Tunisia international who was a priority target for Philippe Clement.
Mejbri, who can play as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder or right-winger, could be on the way to Parkhead instead, going off the recent update, although he is on United's pre-season tour in the USA.
The Red Devils man recently went on loan to Sevilla and prior to that, impressed with Birmingham City, where former manager John Eustace said: "The way he has played in the last couple of games has been phenomenal. He has broken records for total distance [covered], all that kind of stuff."
A move could be one to keep an eye on, with Mejbri potentially offering Rodgers a versatile midfield option who could go from strength to strength in Scotland.
Batting coach praises Angelo Mathews’ effort after dismal Sri Lanka display in first Test
Andrew Fidel Fernando22-Jan-2021On the first day of the first Test, Sri Lanka batting coach Grant Flower was at a loss as to how to explain his team’s cavalier approach and catastrophic collapse. After a much better start this time around, Flower was pleased at the grit his batsmen showed, albeit on a flat surface.Angelo Mathews led Sri Lanka’s batting effort with his unbeaten 107 off 228 balls. He batted in long partnerships with Dinesh Chandimal, who made 52 and Lahiru Thirimanne, who hit 43. Sri Lanka went to stumps at 229 for 4.”A much better day than last time, and that’s down to the batsmen just applying themselves much more,” Flower said. “Today it was a flat wicket. It didn’t turn much. There was a bit of bounce for the seamers. So the guys just had to bat, apply themselves, and wait for the loose ball. Jimmy Anderson bowled really well as he always does, but the spinners didn’t get a lot of help from the wicket.”Angelo Mathews showed his experience again and got another really good hundred. He’s showed what a good player he was. Hopefully we can put on another 100-150 tomorrow and put England under pressure.”Related
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Flower was critical of three of Sri Lanka’s four dismissals, however, including that of Thirimanne, who edged Anderson to the keeper soon after lunch.”We still gave them three wickets,” he said. “I thought Thirimanne could have left his ball. That said, I thought he played very well.”Sri Lanka also maintained a run rate of only 2.63, with Anderson bowling ten maidens in his 19 overs, and the remaining bowlers conributing eight maidens collectively.”At stages we were a bit slow. We lost some wickets at crucial stages. But also given how we’d played in the first innings of the first Test, the guys probably thought we needed to dig in a bit more and put a larger price on their wickets. You can’t be too critical. And you’ve got to give credit to the English bowlers, especially Anderson.”On Kusal Perera’s dismissal, Flower was critical but not severe. Perera was out in Anderson’s third over, attempting to thump him over mid-on, but managing only to send a catch to first slip. It was the first ball in which Anderson came around the wicket to him.”That wasn’t a good shot at all, and I’m sure he’ll be the first to admit that,” Flower said. “He does have a bit of a licence to play the way he does. That’s why we’ve selected him. But you’ve got to give respect to a bowler like Anderson. You’ve got to have a bit of a look. He wasn’t in control of that by any means. That’s not a technical thing. That’s just a mental thing for Kusal. He showed in the second innings of the first Test what he can do when he applies himself.”
Looking to continue their busy summer, Everton have reportedly turned their attention towards a Serie A defender in an attempt to hand Sean Dyche a defensive boost ahead of next season.
Everton transfer news
The Toffees have already signed Jack Harrison, Tim Iroegunam and Iliman Ndiaye this summer, whilst reports also suggest that they've agreed a deal to welcome free agent Sekou Koita fresh from his spell at Red Bull Salzburg.
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The 24-year-old looks set to become a part of quite the attacking rebuild from the Toffees, who are looking to avoid yet another relegation battle in the Premier League next season.
Ndiaye spoke to EvertonTV fresh from putting pen to paper and said: “As a player, I like to dribble, show skills and get the fans out their seats. I want to score goals and get assists but I also like to work hard. I love running, chasing the ball, getting the team high up the pitch. As a striker, you're the first defender. I love doing that bit.
“I'm so excited. I want to come in and carry on from the team’s progress last season. I feel like I’ll be ready to help and I just want to give it my all to get this club higher up the table.”
Sekou Koita for Salzburg.
Everton don't seem to be stopping there or even after Koita, however. Now, according to TuttoMercatoWeb, Everton are interested in signing Jackson Tchatchoua from Hellas Verona, who are demanding €8m (£7m). The Italian club are planning on making 400% profit on their right-back, having just signed him for a reported €2m earlier this month following a season-long loan spell.
Tchatchoua can succeed Coleman
Potentially arriving to add depth to Dyche's side, Tchatchoua can provide ideal competition for current Everton right-back and captain Seamus Coleman as well as Ashley Young, before eventually succeeding the two veterans, who are edging closer to retirement at 35 years old and 38 years old respectively. Tchatchoua's arrival would represent solid planning from the Toffees, as they look to put an end to their recent problems.
Minutes
1,725
665
2,280
Tackles Won
26
14
38
Key Passes
15
3
21
Ball Recoveries
84
39
120
Whilst Young enjoyed a solid campaign last time out, he can't go on forever and the responsibility down the right-hand side should be handed to Tchatchoua if he arrives this summer. The 22-year-old, by comparison, showed plenty of signs that he's able to keep up with the former Manchester United man and take his place sooner rather than later.
Competition for places will only benefit Dyche's side next season, whether it be going forward or, indeed, within his backline.
كشف أيمن الرمادي، مدرب الزمالك السابق، سبب ابتعاده عن مجال التدريب في الفترة الحالية، موضحًا الإيجابيات والسلبيات في القلعة البيضاء.
وقال أيمن الرمادي في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت2”: “انا في استراحة مؤقتة، لأن صعب جدًا أن أبتعد موسمًا كاملًا، إلا إذا كان شيء قدري، لكن الحقيقة أنه بعد فترة مليئة بالضغوطات الكبيرة جدًا، لست أتحدث عن تجربة الزمالك، لكن بشكل عام آخر سنتين، منافسات وضغوط، فكان لابد أن نأخذ راحة، وأن أكون دقيقًا أكثر في الاختيار، لأن الفترة القادمة من المفترض أن تكون مختلفة عن السابق من حيث الترتيبات، ومن حيث المشروع الذي أعمل عليه، والأفكار التي لا بد أن تتلاقى مع شخص لديه أهداف تتناسب معك”.
وبسؤاله عن تقييمه للفترة الحالية للزمالك، أجاب: “أولاً، الجزء الإيجابي أن هناك محاولة لفصل فريق الكرة عن أي مؤثرات، وهذا تغيير شامل وكامل، شيء جيد جدًا، لكن في نفس الوقت لا بد أن نقيم التجربة بموضوعية، حتى لو توجد بعض السلبيات، لا يجب أن نمنع الحديث عنها، لأن المدرب أو حتى الإعلامي يحتاج في أوقات معينة أن يستمع أي نقد لكي يراجع نفسه، لكن لو طوال الوقت هناك حالة مساندة مطلقة دون أي نقد، هذا يجعل المراجعة صعبة جدًا خصوصًا أنك تتعامل مع جمهور واع وكبير”.
طالع أيضاً.. رئيس غزل المحلة يوضح تطورات موقف حق رعاية إمام عاشور من الأهلي
وبسؤاله متى يستطيع أي مدرب أن يقيم بشكل موضوعي؟، أفاد: “التقييم عند الفنيين يبدأ منذ أول يوم عمل له، بمعنى أن المدرب يمكن أن يلمس الإيجابيات منذ أول مباراة أو مباراتين، حتى قبل أن يكتمل الشكل النهائي، لأن لديه رؤية مستقبلية يمكن من خلالها أن يعرف إذا كان الطريق الذي يسير فيه صحيح أم يحتاج إلى تعديل”.
وعن أبرز الإيجابيات التي يراها في مشروع الزمالك حاليًا؟ أوضح: “على المستوى الإداري، يوجد شيء مهم جدًا حدث وهو أن فريق الكرة أصبح مثل شركة خاصة كما يحدث بالخارج، فهو منفصل عن النادي وهذا شيء جيد، التعامل أصبح من خلال شخص أو شخصين فقط، بدلًا من المهام الموزعة على عدد كبير والكل يتدخل وهذه نقلة إيجابية جدًا”.
وعن أبرز السلبيات التي يراها في الزمالك؟ أجاب: “أكبر سلبية هي فكرة الحماية المفرطة، بالتأكيد الحماية مطلوبة في مواجهة الناس التي بداخهم نية التخريب وليس الإصلاح أو تريد أن تهدم، لكن في نفس الوقت عندما تتحول لحاجز ضد أي نقد أو وجهة نظر مختلفة، تكون خطيرة لأنها تجعل الأشخاص الذين لديهم ملاحظات موضوعية تتردد قبل طرحها”.
وأتم: “مثلًا الفريق حصل على راحة لمدة 33 يومًا من بعد نهائي الكأس يوم 5/6 حتى بداية الإعداد يوم 8/7، هذه الفترة طويلة جدًا، صحيح المدرب معذور لأنه ما زال جديدًا، لكن كان من الأفضل أن يتم وضع برنامج فردي لكل لاعب يتابعه خلال الراحة، فهي فترة طويلة وكان يجب التعامل معها بشكل مختلف”.
The coverage of county cricket looks set to be hit as a result of cost-cutting at the ECB.Over recent seasons, the ECB has paid for journalists at each of the first-class counties to produce agency-style, impartial reports which are then provided free-of-charge to other media outlets. The system, named the Reporters Network, was set up to counter the reduction of coverage in newspapers at local and national level and ensure the sport retained some visibility.The reports are used by, among others, ESPNcricinfo, the PA news agency, the BBC and a host of regional publications. Up to 20 journalists have been involved in writing them.However, the ECB have now announced the decision to cut the number of reporters contracted to just six. And while they insist that every game of men’s and women’s cricket will still be covered, it is clear that journalists will no longer be expected to attend all of the games on which they report. Instead, they will be expected to monitor the live feed of some matches.ALSO READ: Could social media save the English domestic game? (2016)The ECB also believe the development of better live streams has reduced the demand for traditional match reports. They claim analysis of reading patterns suggests much shorter reports will better serve modern demands.”It has been clear through this process that the consumption of domestic cricket content is changing, especially following the advent of live streaming and video highlights, and that a necessary evolution is required for our written content,” Kate Miller, the ECB’s director of communications, wrote in an email to those involved in the Reporters Network.”The financial situation has demanded that the service must be leaner and more efficient but also, following feedback from those who use the service, it is apparent that we need to change the way our service operates.”The ECB has recently announced more than 60 redundancies as a reaction to the financial challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. They estimate the virus has cost them £106m in 2020 with the prospect of further losses to come if crowds are unable to return to games in 2021.Another ECB spokesperson admitted the cuts were “not what we want” but insisted they “are necessary as ECB embarks on significant cost cutting in order to try and withstand the financial impact the global pandemic has had”.While it was never an especially healthy reflection of the domestic game that the governing body felt the need to provide coverage – it raised questions about independence, among other things – it is a greater concern that even that governing body is now cutting that coverage.It might also be noted that matches in the Hundred will not be impacted by these cuts, which will do nothing to dispel the perception that the ECB is prioritising that competition at the expense of traditional existing domestic tournaments. The Hundred retains a separate budget.”We are cognisant of the difficulty the ECB faces in trying to maintain a valuable written content service, whilst needing to now cut its own costs,” Alison Mitchell, the chair of the Cricket Writers’ Club said in a statement to its members.”We intend to remain in contact with the ECB over the coverage of the domestic game, and will urge that the number of journalists be grown in future whenever feasible against this backdrop, or that other solutions are considered, to enable eye-witness integrity in the reportage of the domestic game and those playing it.”